another field of action, and I had to yield the point."

The owner thought he had not been guilty of a very savage yielding of
his own inclination, but he said nothing. He was evidently the youngest
child of the family, and doubtless the pet of his parents; and it was
hard for them to put him in a position to be shot, or to endure the
hardships of the camp.

"I see now that my mission is a failure, though with no detriment to the
good cause. I wish I was in New Providence again," continued Mr. Percy,
looking very much discontented with himself.

"I am sorry you did not speak to me on shore as your father did, and
that would have saved you from all annoyance."

"But I must beg you to do me the favor to put me ashore again, for my
father will suffer untold agonies when he misses me to-night."

"Put you on shore!" exclaimed Captain Passford. "You are a sensible and
reasonable young gentleman, and you will readily see that this is quite
impossible."

"We have not been out above two hours, sir," suggested Percy.

"But we have made thirty-six miles, at least, in that time; and to
return would delay me about four or five hours,--long enough, perhaps,
to defeat the object of my voyage. I assure you that it is wholly
impossible for us to return."

"Do you think so, sir?" asked the enterprising purchaser of vessels,
looking very disconsolate indeed.

"I not only think so, but I am perfectly sure on this point. You can see
for yourself that I cannot sacrifice the object of my voyage--for the
vessel has a special mission at her destination--by a delay of some
hours. I am not responsible for your being on board, and I am sorry that
I cannot do any thing for you."

"But you can put me ashore at Key West, and I may find some vessel bound
to Nassau," suggested Percy, becoming more and more disconsolate, as he
realized the difficulties of his situation, for he was plainly very much
averse to returning to his home.

"But, my dear Mr. Percy, the Bellevite will not go within fifty miles
of Key West; and if she did, I should not dare to put in there, for the
port is a naval station of the United States, and my vessel might be
taken from me in the absence of any regular papers to explain her
character."

"I suppose you are right," added Percy gloomily.

Captain Passford was really more afraid of falling in with any naval
vessel of the nation than of meeting any of the Confederate tugs or
other vessels which had been hurried